Jurgen Klopp has finally fixed Liverpool's defensive errors as Loris Karius and co answer critics

There are few certainties in life: Death, taxes and Liverpool having a terrible defence under Jurgen Klopp. A leaky back four and flap-happy goalkeeper has become almost as synonymous with the German’s reign at Anfield as his attacking riches going forward.

But whisper it quietly; Klopp may have finally sorted out his defence and none of us even noticed him doing it.

It was only the end of January when the frustrated German decided he had had enough of lazy defensive performances after seeing his side dumped out of the FA Cup at home to West Brom, the worst team in the Premier League this season.

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“Yes, in the decisive parts of the game, around the goals, he said just over a month ago. “It was just bad defending, that’s how it is. Bad defending most of the times means making the wrongs decisions.”

But since that game things have improved. Dramatically. Liverpool have kept five clean sheets in their next seven games, letting in just three goals. While Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and pals have been grabbing the headlines going forward – with the Reds scoring 18 in those seven games – it’s impossible to ignore that things are finally taking shape at the back.

The Champions League last 16 displays against Porto are perhaps the most impressive. Domestically, the Portugese giants have scored 20 in their last five games, but couldn’t broach the Liverpool defence in either leg.

Young German keeper Lorius Karius, derided by many after some shaky displays when he arrived at the start of last season has settled into life at Anfield of late. He wasn’t in goal for that defeat to the Baggies but reclaimed his place back from Simon Mignolet for the subsequent 3-0 win at Huddersfield and hasn’t looked back.

A particularly impressive one-handed flying save to deny Mo Diame at Anfield last weekend was a highlight; keeping Liverpool in the game as they went on to beat Newcastle 2-0. Like David de Gea when he arrived in the UK, Karius has taken time to bed in, but is starting to show the sort of form that led Manchester City to sign him as a 16-year-old in 2009, only to sell him to Klopp’s old side Mainz two years later. The only downside being his terrible top-knot haircut that De Gea also seems intent on sporting also. It must be a goalkeeper thing.

Liverpool fans certainly agree (about the form, not the hairstyle), with The Redmen TV tweeting “Another solid performance from him and a great gesture. Respect.” alongside a video of Karius giving his shirt to a young fan.

Former West Ham defender Tony Gale agrees: “This boy has got to get a little more confidence, which he’s getting at the moment, and then you’ll see the best out of him,” he told Premier League Daily.

“Hopefully he’s the difference for Liverpool now, but he’s still got it all to prove. You have to do it over a period of time. Let’s see what happens when he makes a mistake.”

In front of Karius, Virgil van Dijk, the world’s most expensive defender, is starting to look like a defender that cost four Dejan Lovrens and the players that are benefiting the most from his settling into the side appear to be the youngsters.

Nathaniel Clyne’s long-term injury opened a spot at right-back and Klopp has rotated that position between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez and both have improved. While on the other side Andrew Robertson has made Liverpool fans stop breaking out into cold sweats at the thought of Alberto Moreno.

“I love both Trent and Robertson,” agrees former Liverpool great Phil Neal. “They are performing really well. Trent is a young man who is learning all the time and Robertson has really impressed me. Gomez is also having a fine season. He can play in a couple of positions.

While Salah and co continue to grab the headlines with their attacking displays and countless goals, Klopp deserves some praise for finally answering some of the criticisms levelled at his defence. The Premier League title has gone this season and the Champions League may be a step too far but if his back five can continue to build on their recent success there’s no reason Liverpool can’t be serious contenders next season.

Let’s just sort the haircut out, yeah Loris?